THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA COMPLICATING GOLD THERAPY FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : REPORT OF THREE CASES WITH SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY AND ONE CASE WITH RECOVERY FOLLOWING SPLENECTOMY

Of 160 patients treated with gold salt therapy, four developed thrombocytopenia with mild purpuric manifestations. In three patients there was a spontaneous remission and the hemorrhagic tendency disappeared in about one week’s time.

In the fourth patient there was a second occurrence of thrombocytopenia which persisted over a period of four months, and finally failed to respond to transfusions. Splenectomy was followed by a dramatic rise in the blood platelets and recovery of the patient.